AFSCME Stands in Full Support of Striking Auto Workers

WASHINGTON — AFSCME President Lee Saunders issued the following statement in support of striking auto workers at General Motors:

“Public service workers proudly stand in solidarity with striking auto workers in their fight for dignity and fair treatment. They have made sacrifices for years, helping General Motors achieve record profits. For years, auto workers looked out for GM. Now it’s time for GM to look out for its workers. It is appalling that GM’s response is to punish working families by taking away their health care and trying to extract further concessions.

“The GM strike is part of a resurgence of working people taking collective action to unrig a system that favors corporations and the superrich. Teachers, Stop and Shop workers, hotel and restaurant workers and University of California workers, among others have all taken collective action to stand up for themselves and their communities and have AFSCME’s full support.”

AFSCME's 1.4 million members provide the vital services that make America happen. With members in communities across the nation, serving in hundreds of different occupations — from nurses to corrections officers, child care providers to sanitation workers — AFSCME advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and freedom and opportunity for all working families.